Riau Police Continue PETI Operation, 10 Pocay Destroyed

Pemusnahan Pocay (Photo: humas)

JAKARTA - The Riau Police through the Indragiri Hulu Police destroyed 10 rafts or pocays used to mine gold illegally in the river.

The destruction was the result of taking action against illegal gold mining (PETI) operations at a number of points, Friday, August 22.

The Head of Public Relations of the Riau Police, Kombes Anom Caribbeanto, explained that this activity was a follow-up to the direct order of the Riau Police Chief Inspector General Herry Hery Heryyawan who consistently took firm action against PETI activities because it was proven to damage the environment.

"This step in Inhu also answers the encouragement of people who are already restless with illegal mining activities. They want the river to be clear, healthy, and valuable again. The same is true with operations in Kuansing, which are now starting to have a real positive impact on the community," Anom told reporters, Friday, August 22.

According to him, after PETI's surgery, residents had started to return to their activities in the river as before. In fact, some people decided to reshuffle fish in the river because the water was clear again and the fish were starting to look again.

"This is proof that law enforcement against PETI is not just a matter of law, but also about the sustainability of people's lives," he said.

Meanwhile, Inhu Police Chief AKBP Fahrian Saleh emphasized that his party had deployed two teams in the field, each in Batang Periap, Periap, Pasir Turtle, and Sei Lalak sub-districts.

From that location, 10 Pocay rafts were found which were immediately destroyed by destroying the engine and burning the raft on the spot.

Fahrian added that this control operation will continue to be carried out continuously, with the hope that Inhu can imitate the success of Kuansing, whose river is now back to sustainability.

"In addition to carrying out the extermination, we also give an appeal to local residents not to get involved in the PETI. The community welcomes this step, because they are aware that the river is a source of life that must be maintained," said Fahrian.